Tristan : Tristan's Factory Workers Strike For Higher Negotiated Pay Raise
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 14.09.2005 (Article Archived on 04.10.2005)

Women on Tristan da Cunha do not accept 9p per box for the back brreaking work.

TRISTAN’S FACTORY WORKERS STRIKE FOR A HIGHER NEGOTIATED PAY RAISE

By Sarah Glass (SARTMA – TdC)

News received from the Island on September 13^th indicated that the women at the Lobster Processing Factory have gone on strike for more pay.  The part-time workers recently got a pay guarantee of nearly 9p per box of Lobster Tails but they want 15p per box for the back breaking work.  They are negotiating with the newly appointed Factory Manager, McKenzie, but thus far their bid of 15p per box has not been accepted.

On average the women process between 300 and 550 boxes of lobster tail per fishing day and it is felt that due to the value of the catch their share should be greater.  Seeing that the dollar to pound rate has become better in recent months – the Lobster tail is bought and sold in US Dollars - the women feel they have a good cause.

It is not known yet if the strike has been resolved but it is thought that some of the women might return to work regardless of the pay.